Can Shankar Regain His Form with Velpari?

Director Shankar, once celebrated as a visionary filmmaker renowned for his grand commercial spectacles, is now facing growing criticism.

His recent films, Indian 2 and Game Changer, have come under fire for their outdated themes and uninspired storytelling.

Both projects failed to resonate with audiences and resulted in significant financial losses for their producers.

This downturn has led many within the industry and fan circles to question whether Shankar has lost his golden touch, with some suggesting that his era may be over. Readmore!

In the midst of this skepticism, Shankar has announced a new historical project titled Velpari, based on a legendary figure from Tamil history.

The move appears to follow in the footsteps of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan, which successfully revived Ratnam’s box office fortunes by tapping into Tamil heritage and culture.

However, Ratnam’s subsequent film Thug Life failed to replicate that success — highlighting that cultural themes alone are no guarantee of a hit.

All eyes are now on Shankar. Will Velpari mark a triumphant comeback, or will it further reinforce doubts about his current form and deepen his struggles in the industry?

Only time — and the box office — will tell.